2011-12 Course Descriptions

POLS - Political ScienceDepartment of Political Science (CAS)

POLS 221 Government and Business (3-0-3), fall, spring. Explores the mutual interaction of American business and government and the consequences for political and economic life. May be used to satisfy University Requirement.

POLS 225 National Government (3-0-3), fall, spring, summer. The American political system. May be used to satisfy University Requirement.

POLS 226 States and Federal System (3-0-3), fall, spring, summer. The politics of the federal system with special emphasis upon Texas government and politics. This course serves as the requisite government course for all students seeking teacher certification in Texas.

POLS 227 Introduction to International Relations (3-0-3), fall, spring. Introduces students to the major theories, themes, and sub-disciplines of this interdisciplinary subject. Material includes the Cold War, deterrence, globalization, nationalism, development, and terrorism.

POLS 315 Political Science Research Methods (3-1-4), fall. Theories, methods and statistical analyses used in political science research will be evaluated, compared and critiqued. Students will gain a healthy appreciation of research design, statistical analysis, and of the computer application of these principles. Prerequisites: MATH 120 or higher; junior standing or consent of department chair. For POLS majors only.

POLS 341 American Public Policy (3-0-3), fall, odd years. An introduction to the study of public policy and policy analysis through examining specific policy problems such as poverty, health, pollution, taxation, and crime. Attention will be given to the alternative approaches for recommending and evaluating policy consequences.

POLS 344 Comparative Politics (3-0-3), on demand. An examination of structural and behavioral issues associated with the comparative study of political systems. Examples and case studies will be drawn from industrialized, transitional, and less developed nations. Prerequisite: POLS 200-level course.

POLS 345 Comparative Public Policy (3-0-3), on demand. A comparative study of public policy formulation, implementation, and consequences.

POLS 357 West European Politics (3-0-3), on demand. The politics and government of Great Britain, France, and Germany. Also included will be an overview of the major transnational institutions of Western Europe.

POLS 358 CIS and East European Politics (3-0-3), on demand. The politics of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the nations of Eastern Europe, including consideration of the ideological foundations, governmental structures, and recent political issues.

POLS 360 Politics of Developing Countries (3-0-3), fall, even years. A comparative examination of the nature of processes of political change and development in lesser developed countries, including China and India. Prerequisite: POLS 200-level course.

POLS 361 Politics of the Middle East (3-0-3), spring, odd years. The political trends and movements in the Middle East. The forces of change such as nationalism, Islamic revivalism, and Arab-Israeli peace process, and regional conflicts are given special attention. Prerequisite: POLS 200-level course.

POLS 381 American Political Process (3-0-3), spring, even years. Parties, interest groups, political behavior of voters and elected officials, public opinion, and elections.

POLS 382 American Presidency (3-0-3), fall, even years. An introduction to the American presidency, examining the organization of the office and relations with legislative, bureaucratic, judicial, and political groups.

POLS 383 Congress and Legislative Process (3-0-3), spring, odd years. The United States Congress and its members in the making of public policy. Attention is given to the development of Congress, the current status of the Congress, and the functions of Congress in the American political system.

POLS 384 American Judicial Process (3-0-3), fall, odd years. Explores the structure and function of the judicial branch of government as it exists in our society today.

POLS 385 American Foreign Policy (3-0-3), on demand. An analysis of the processes and institutions involved in making U.S. foreign policy. The roles of the President, Congress, news media, interest groups, public opinion and important forces that influence the policy process. Prerequisite: POLS 200-level course.

POLS 393 Peace, Power, and Politics (3-0-3), spring, even years. Examines classic and contemporary views of political power and the state with a focus on non-violence as an alternative to war. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

POLS 395 Public Administration (3-0-3), fall. An inquiry into the role of bureaucracy and democracy of large-scale organizations in contemporary American politics.

POLS 420 Public Service Seminar (3-0-3), summer only. The seminar provides an intensive introduction to the study of public service with special emphasis on fundamental problems and issues facing practitioners and critical analysis of significant works. Course open to Pope Fellows only.

POLS 431 Constitutional Law: Powers (3-0-3), on demand. Examines the exercise of federal power within the confines of the U.S. Constitution. Judicial review by the federal courts, presidential power, congressional power, and American federalism will all be covered.

POLS 481 International Relations Theory (3-0-3), spring. Introduces upper-division Political Science majors to the major and critical international relations theories. Covers realism, liberalism, and constructivism, as well as feminism and neo-marxism. Prerequisite: POLS 227.

POLS 484 International Law and Organizations (3-0-3), on demand. Universal and regional international organizations and international law, their function and processes, their limits and possibilities, and their relationships to the international system. Special emphasis is given to the United Nations system. Prerequisite: POLS 200-level course.

POLS 485 International Political Economy (3-0-3), on demand. Examination of the political determinants and consequences of economic relations between the nations of the world. Topics include international trade, international finance and financial organizations, regional economic organizations, and economic treaties and conventions. Prerequisites: POLS 200-level course; ECON 260.

POLS 487 Terrorism Studies (3-0-3), spring. Examines and critiques the major themes of the field of Terrorism Studies. Will seek to answer: how do liberal democracies resolve political violence without betraying the rights and liberties of their citizens? Prerequisites: POLS 227.

POLS 488 Topics in International Politics (3-0-3),* on demand. Consideration on a rotation of selected topics in international politics. Offerings will include nuclear weapons in international politics, ethical issues in international politics, and the theory of international politics.

POLS 489 International Relations and Christianity (3-0-3), fall, even years. Interrogates the use of power from the perspectives of Christian realism, the Just War tradition, pacifism, and liberation theology. Prerequisite: POLS 227.

POLS 490 Early Political Theory (3-0-3), fall, even years. The major political philosophers from Plato to Machiavelli. Same as PHIL 490.

POLS 491 Recent Political Theory (3-0-3), spring, odd years. The major political philosophers from Machiavelli to the present. Same as PHIL 491.

POLS 492 American Political Thought (3-0-3), fall, odd years. A study of the political thought and movements which have shaped American institutions from colonial times to present.

POLS 493 Topics in Contemporary Political Thought (3-0-3), spring, even years. An examination of varying political ideas and concepts relevant in the contemporary world. Course topics include 20th century political thought, the crisis of liberalism, and religion and politics.

POLS 494 Public Administration Management (3-0-3), on demand. A survey of management problems in the public sector.

POLS 497 Topics in Public Administration (3-0-3),* on demand. A consideration of special issues or topics in governmental administration or bureaucracies. Possible topics include organizational behavior, the street-level bureaucrat, literature and bureaucracy, and the Christian and public policy.

POLS 499 Public Service Internship (0-0-3),* on demand. Links public-sector employment with classroom work. Exposure to public-sector problems and opportunities. Prerequisite: junior standing and approval by the department internship director. For majors only.

POLS 590 Early Political Theory (3-0-3), fall, even years. The major political philosophers from Plato to Machiavelli.

POLS 591 Recent Political Theory (3-0-3), spring, odd years. The major political philosophers from Machiavelli to the present.

POLS 595 Public Administration (3-0-3), fall. An inquiry into the role of bureaucracy and democracy of large-scale organizations in contemporary American politics.

POLS 597 Topics in Public Administration (3-0-3),* on demand. A consideration of special issues or topics in governmental administration or bureaucracies. Possible topics include organizational behavior, the street-level bureaucrat, literature and bureaucracy, and the Christian and public policy.

Wildcat Video Minute

Join Craig Fisher, ACU director of alumni relations and annual projects, as he takes you on a tour of the renovations taking place at historic Bennett Gymnasium.